Annonse
These deadly animals can help people with high blood pressure, pain, and stroke
Substances found in the venom of several animals can be turned into medicines.
Published
Many animals are venomous. Some of them can kill humans. But their venom may also contain substances that are useful to us.
"We have only examined a small fraction of venomous animals," says Robin Araya. He studies spider venom at the University of Oslo.
Here are examples of venom from three animals that has proven useful for humans.
1. Snake venom for high blood pressure
Some people develop high blood pressure as they age. This means the blood presses harder against the blood vessels. Over time, this can damage both the blood vessels and the heart.
Annonse
In the worst case, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
But in the 1960s and 1970s, researchers discovered something strange. A substance in the venom of the Brazilian jararaca snake could actually lower blood pressure.
Today, the substance has become a widely used treatment for high blood pressure.
It may sound crazy, Araya admits.
"If youwere exposed to the full cocktail of venom, it could be deadly. But venom consists of many different substances," he says.
2. Snail venom for chronic pain
Another venomous animal that has contributed to medicine is the cone snail, says Araya.
These snails live in the sea and can be deadly to humans.
But their venom also contains a substance with a more beneficial effect.
Today, this substance is used to treat chronic pain. It's extremely potent, so it's typically only given to patients when other treatments have failed.
3. Spider venom with multiple uses
Araya's third example is the animal he himself studies: the Australian funnel-web spider.
This is one of the most dangerous spiders in the world.
Most viewed
"In Australia, people need to be especially careful in autumn when the spiders begin to roam," says Araya.
Annonse
That's when the deadly creatures may hide inside shoes. But their venom also contains a substance that could one day be used to treat strokes.
When someone suffers a stroke, not enough blood reaches the brain. This can cause brain cells to die or suffer permanent damage.
However, experiments on rats show that the venom from this spider can prevent such damage. Australian researchers are now testing this treatment on humans for both strokes and heart attacks.
A gentler type of insecticide
Another substance from the venom of the Australian funnel-web spider has proven useful in a completely different place. Namely, in the field.
The substance has several advantages compared to traditional insecticides.
For example, it can kill caterpillars that destroy food plants while remaining harmless to humans and bees.
Araya also explains that animal venoms are largely made up of small proteins.
"That means they can be broken down in nature," says the researcher.
———
Translated by Alette Bjordal Gjellesvik
Read the Norwegian version of this article on ung.forskning.no
References:
Bose et al. The Venom Revolution in Biomedicine: Unlocking Nature’s Toxin Toolkit for Therapeutic Innovation, Toxicology Reports, 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102227
Press release from the University of Queensland: Heart hope as potential funnel-web venom drug enters clinical trial
Wikipedia article: Conus magus
Subscribe to our newsletter
The latest news from Science Norway, sent twice a week and completely free.
